I just wanted to chime in on a recent post about course conditions posted by turfguy. I agree with your post except the reference to Quail. Quail does have a big budget, HOWEVER they stress the bent at the worst time of the year, May. While other superintendents have the luxury of late April/May aerifications and subsequent root drive time in April and May; Quail tears their root zone down mowing and rolling the greens in preparation and during the PGA event. Those three weeks are the best time stimulate root mass, and they are busy tearing it down. If you don’t drive roots in May, and it gets hot early, like this year, then you probably are going to have trouble.
Turfguy, I too am in the turf side of the golf industry. This summer has been tough, but in many ways I think it has shined some light on the short-comings of years of skimping on solid aerification and topdressing programs. These high volume courses in the Charlotte area are masters at short-cutting or skipping aerifications and topdressings all together. I agree with your post, but I think Quail is a unfair reference that I have seen mentioned in the Charlotte Observer as well. It unfairly deflects responsibility from other courses, by pointing out that “even guys with big budgets” are having problems. When in my opinion Quail isn’t giving a fair shot because of the timing of their event, and subsequent agronomic practices being timed around the event, not the grass….anyone played Cabarrus CC in the last couple weeks??